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Home My WebLink AboutCOM 0678.000 2016-2018 '.t11 OF If,'• Karen Eoff `cPJ c? �'`'•+... Phone: (808) 323-4280 Council Vice Chair I: J "F,�y,'�'''" Fax: (808) 329-4786 Council District 8-North Kona `:� �'��' ' '6 r Email. karen.eoff@hawaiicount��.gov '''''.A.OE.H►' HAWAII COUNTY COUNCIL County of Hawai`i West Hawai`i Civic Center, Bldg. A 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy. _ Kailua-Kona, Hawai'i 96740 c I ® .'.^.�u►e. 9, -I ..,i....!"� N) -\'--; DATE: December 28, 2017 e ' TO: Valerie T. Poindexter, Council Chair yJ -- And Members of the Hawaii County Council a.-->-:7''': FROM: Karen Eoff, Council Member Council District 8 -North Kona SUBJECT: Presentation by Rick Bennett, Ph.D., Chair of the Environmental Management Commission, regarding Policy Suggestions for Water Resource Management We respectfully request 45 minutes for a presentation by Rick Bennett, Ph.D., regarding the Environmental Management Commission's policy proposals for Water Resource Management. The Environmental Management recently Proposal Commission provided its "PolicyPro osal Suggestions for Water Resource Management" dated December 13, 2017, in response to my request to the Commission for its suggestions. A copy of aforementioned letter is attached hereto for ease of reference. Dr. Bennett will be providing PowerPoint material prior to the meeting. Please place this on the appropriate committee meeting agenda for January 23, 2018. KE/wpb Ccrt► icy, �� Enclosure Ref. re. "__L--- Ref. Date JAN 0 3 ? a Serving the Interests of the People of Our Island Hawaii County Is an Equal Opportunity Provider And Employer N Harry Kim � �vns ';I�U'' James Fritz Mayor '` Chair William A. Kucharski ,.;,T'Oi N�''' � +'' Richard Bennett Ph.D. Director, Department of Vice Chair Environmental Management County of I-I avva i`i ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION 25 Aupuni Street-Hilo,Hawai`i 96720 Ph:(808)961-8083 •Fax:(808)961-8086 December 13, 2017 Honorable Karen Eoff, Councilmember Hawaii County Council 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway, Building A Kailua-Kona, Hawai`i 96740 Re: Policy Proposal Suggestions for Water Resource Management Dear Councilmember Eoff: In response to your request for assistance for suggestions regarding water resource management policy options, the Environmental Management Commission, by a unanimous resolution at its November 28, 2017, meeting, respectfully offers the following for consideration. The fresh water resources of Hawai`i Island are finite and dependent on rainfall. In the last decade, USGS data reveals a significant reduction in stream flows for all islands. It is wise and prudent to employ the Precautionary Principle and the Public Trust Doctrine of the Hawai`i Constitution. Specifically, Article 11.7 states, "The State has an obligation to protect, control and regulate the use of Hawai`i's water resources for the benefit of its people." In the spirit of the law of the state, the Environmental Management Commission of the County of Hawai`i offers the following policy proposals: Water Conservation: 1. Enact a policy to coordinate water conservation and reuse programs between the County agencies and the Department of Water Supply. 2. Enact an ordinance for Hawaii County to adopt all chapters of the Uniform Plumbing Code 2015 and the Green Supplement. a. These chapters on reclaimed water provide guidance on wastewater and greywater reuse. b. The Uniform Plumbing Code and supplement provide the guidance for water- conserving devices and instruments for homes and businesses. County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer Honorable Karen Eoff, Councilmember December 13, 2017 Page 2 3. Adopt the WaterSense standards and approvals for plumbing fixtures for all new construction as of 2020. 4. Consider a policy for "on sale" and building permit applications for remodels, triggering a mandatory retrofit program for homes and business sales beginning in 2020. a. The costs of retrofits will be cost-effective through reduced water costs and wastewater management. b. Initially, program incentives for a partial credit on water usage fees, wastewater charges or property taxes deserves careful evaluation. 5. Develop a cooperative agreement with the Department of Water Supply to jointly encourage and incentivize the purchase and installation of WaterSense fixtures and fittings for all homes in Hawai`i County. Water Reuse: 1. Beginning in 2020, high quality R-1 reclaimed water will be available for reuse. All such reuse will in most cases replace other waters, including water from drinking water aquifers, and extend our water resources while protecting the quality of the nearshore environment. a. The best use, and in the public service, will be the irrigation of a public park at Kealakehe. (i) In the near term, the 80+ acre park could utilize all of the R-1 water produced. (ii) Irrigation management for efficient use of R-1 water could be demonstrated. 2. As.of 2020, all new developments that will connect to the Kealakehe Wastewater Treatment Plant shall install reclaimed water piping at the same time as the sewer pipe. The development shall install appropriate irrigation systems for landscaping and commons areas. a. Where reclaimed water is available, potable water use for irrigation of landscapes shall not be permitted. (i) New subdivisions on sewer should be required to install reuse lines to serve all homes and community common lands at no cost to the County. (ii) This proposal could be added on to the CDP or Planning rules. b. The County shall create "recycled water zones." Any development within these zones shall connect to the recycled water provided by the County for toilet flushing, irrigation, fire suppression, cooling, etc. Honorable Karen Eoff, Councilmember • December 13,2017 Page 3 Greywater Reuse: 1. Once the Uniform Plumbing Code 2015 or higher and the Green Supplement have been adopted by the County,homes and businesses connected to the County sewer will be permitted under to the code to reuse greywater for landscape irrigation. a. The County is to develop guidelines,i.e., a checklist for homeowner greywater reuse. b. Homes and businesses on private wastewater systems fall under Hawai`i State Department of Health greywater reuse regulations. Coordinated Benefits: 1. Significant conservation of potable water. 2. Significant reduction in sewage flows and treatment costs,including disposal. . 3. Extension of the functional life and capacity of individual and community wastewater treatment facilities. 4. Reused water nutrients applied to land to limit transport to the ocean and reefs. 5. Reused water to embellish landscaping esthetics and community appeal. 6. Reused water to irrigate public open space and parklands. 7. Reduced groundwater pollution. 8. Promotes a conservation and sustainability ethic. • On behalf of the Environmental Management Commission,we appreciate your interest in our mission and look forward to working with you and the Council in the future. Sincerely, Richard H. Bennett,Ph.D. Vice Chair RB:mef